Leave Barcelona and travel back to ancient times on this small-group tour of Catalonia’s medieval villages. Visit the beautifully preserved villages of Besalú and Tavertet and learn interesting facts about these historical locations from your guide. Have free time in Rupit village to see the Baroque-era Church of Sant Miquel and have a traditional Catalan lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant. Take in views of the remains of the Castle of Rupit, Castellfollit de la Roca and the Cingles de Tavertet sandstone cliffs. This small-group tour ensures you’ll receive personalized attention from your guide.

Highlights

Small-group day trip to Catalonia medieval villages from Barcelona

Visit the charming medieval villages of Besalú and Tavertet with your guide

Enjoy free time in Rupit to visit medieval locations and have a traditional lunch at a local restaurant (own expense)

Take in stunning views of the countryside from the Cingles de Tavertet sandstone cliffs

See the beautiful Castellfollit de la Roca village located at the edge of a basalt cliff

Wonderful old village around 11 century just as it appeared then. We were the only tourists in the village and there ...

Photo by: Judy
08
2014

Rupit village mill

The mill in Rupit Village

Photo by: Judy
08
2014

View towards the Pyrenees

On the drive back, you get amazing views towards the Pyrenees.

Photo by: SpindleA
05
2014

Rupit

Alleyway in the small village of Rupit.

Photo by: SpindleA
05
2014

Besalu entrance

Entrance to the small village of Besalu

Photo by: SpindleA
05
2014

Rupit

View of Rupit

Photo by: cathy w
04
2014

A bridge in the second village

A bridge in the second village

Photo by: Tam N
04
2014

Entrance to first village

Entrance to first village

Photo by: Tam N
04
2014

A view from the third village

A view from the third village

Photo by: Tam N
04
2014

Besalu Perfection

This will be my next painting for sure!

Photo by: Erica K
09
2013

Overlooking the Spanish ...

Me and my dear friend took this tour and could not have been happier. The American and quot;Erica's and quot; in ...

Photo by: Erica K
09
2013

Besalu and Rupit Tour

The pathways were straight out of a painting!

Photo by: Erica K
09
2013

What You Can Expect

Small-Group Tour: Medieval Villages Day Trip from Barcelona

Discover the beauty of Catalonia ’s medieval villages on this small-group day trip from Barcelona. Meet your guide in central Barcelona and relax in a comfortable minivan as you take in views of the green countryside on the 1.5-hour drive to Besalú.

When you arrive, enjoy a guided walking tour of this beautifully preserved village from the Middle Ages. See the town's arcaded streets, visit a restored mikveh (an old Jewish bath from the 12th century), and see the remains of a medieval synagogue.

Continue by minivan toward the village of Rupit. On the way, pass by Castellfollit de la Roca, one of the smallest towns in Catalonia with 1,000 habitants in just 3,280 square feet (1,000 square meters), located on the edge of a basalt precipice. When you arrive in Rupit, enjoy two hours of free time to visit this beautiful village at your own leisure. Wander along the cobblestone streets lined with 16th-century country houses, stop by the hanging wooden bridge, and visit the Baroque-era Church of Sant Miquel. Have lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) and see the remains of the Castle of Rupit on a rocky peak.

Next, enjoy a scenic drive to the top of the Cingles de Tavertet sandstone cliffs, located by the Ter river valley. Pass by a megalithic tomb -- a field of funerary urns -- and the Iberian Wall until you reach the village of Tavertet. With your guide, visit this charming village, declared a National Property of Cultural Interest due to its 48 preserved houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. Learn interesting facts about this village as you admire the houses and the 11th-century Romanesque Church of Sant Cristòfol. Enjoy a short break to grab a coffee at a local café (own expense) or walk to the viewpoint to admire stunning views over the Panta de Sau lake.

Then, relax on the drive back to Barcelona and take in views of El Magatalls, a beautiful lush forest, and El Montseny, a UNESCO Man and Biosphere-listed natural park.

Customer Reviews

Our family plus another family rode with Nicholas (Nicho) in a van to three villages steeped in history. Nicho was a good driver, pleasant and extremely well versed on the history of the region and Spanish history. It was a great tour. We would recommend it. One side note, our family was very glad that we took Dramamine (motion sickness prevention) before we left. There are a lot of switchbacks on the way up and down the mountains. The tour gave you the right amount of guided time and personal time. The lunch in Rupit was delicious.

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